Tips On How to Write a Book Review
Well-written reviews for a book sell it
A book review includes a summary of a book you have read including how it made you think or feel.
You can use excitable language for the great books you've read or you can use disappointing language for the ones you didn't think were so great.
The value of a book review is helpful for potential readers. Remember that we each have our value system after reading a book. Two people might not agree on how good or bad a book was.
How to write a thoughtful book review
The length of a book review is dependent on the space allotted to write one, or how much you want to influence a potential reader by keeping it short.
1. In a handful of sentences, introduce the name of the book and a short synopsis.
2. Provide the name of the author with some quick biofacts.
3. Describe the key points with a few sentences if the book if it's non-fiction, or the plot highlights if it is fiction. You do not have to go into great detail to tell everything.
4. Now you can provide a summary of the important points or highlights in a few sentences.
5. Tell the potential reader what you liked about the book. Or, in a few sentences, discuss what you didn't like about the book.
6. You're almost done with your book review. Now you get to either recommend it to readers or not recommend it.
If you liked the book or not, you can also include a link to the book or the author's website.
Online resources to find book reviews
One of the most popular resources for book reviews is Goodreads. You can search for books by title, author, or ISBN. If you're an author, you can apply for their Author Program that lets authors have a profile page and promotes their book. You can also post your review on Goodreads.
Another interesting site to check out reviews is LibraryThing. You can catalog the books you've read on this site for free. You can keep your catalog private or share it. Read books, write reviews and share them. There are also active groups you can join to discuss books.
Kirkus has been around for decades. Here, you can find extensive reviews for the bestselling books. Find your favorite genres and start reading those reviews to find the next book you want to read! You can even learn which books are going to become films. Kirkus provides services to authors including getting your book reviewed before it's published. Positive reviews can be published for free on this site.
The New Yorker is a nice clean site with book reviews. They offer a subscription for $1 per week and advertise a free tote bag with that subscription.
For Shelf Awareness, I'm sharing this site because it's new to me and I like the name. You can subscribe to its newsletters for free. On Tuesdays and Fridays, Shelf Awareness for Readers provides readers with "the 25 best books of the week, as chosen by booksellers, librarians and other industry experts."
The value of a book review
Keep in mind the more well-written a book review, the greater the chances for book sales. Use a reputable resource to provide a book review if you've authored a book. The quality of language in that review is a good marketing tool for a book.
We each have a different perspective on the books we read. Many of us aren't going to like the same genre.
There are so many publications and resources available to help your book shine with a well-polished review. One review isn't enough. For example, wouldn't you be more prone to buy a book that has 120 positive reviews as opposed to a handful?
A solid book review helps a writer. A good effective book review helps a writer sell copies of books.
The cycle continues for a writer, the book reviewer, and the bookseller. Make it your dream to become all three.
About the Creator
Cathy Coombs
Earning a B.A. in English Journalism & Creative Writing confirmed my love of literature. I believe every living experience is tied to language, and words influence us all.
Click here for Website.
Author of Stranger in the Window.
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Fetty Wap
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